Portable folding craft table with storage

ABSTRACT

The portable folding craft table with storage has first and second folding table sections provided with a storage compartment having a front wall, a rear wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a bottom wall and a hinged tabletop. The table sections are hinged together so that the bottom wall of the first compartment lies adjacent the bottom wall of the second compartment when the table is folded. A plurality of variously sized storage containers is releasably secured within each compartment. The bottom wall of the second compartment includes a cavity for receiving a pullout work surface. At least two releasably securable table legs are connectable to the bottom wall of each section to support the opened table for use. Hand straps and wheels are included to facilitate moving the folded table.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application U.S. Ser. No. 60/674,313, entitled “Portable Folding Craft Table with Storage” and filed on Apr. 25, 2005, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable folding tables. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable folding craft table having storage compartments and an additional pullout work shelf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Crafting, including scrapbooking and paperwork, needle arts, woodworking, modeling, beading, stenciling, wreath-making and more, is an increasingly popular pastime in the United States. In addition to being a fun hobby, crafting has been found to reduce stress, and for students, to even improve test scores. Surveys have found that students who participated in hands-on craft projects scored higher on writing and knowledge application tasks. Teachers have said that hands-on projects help students understand basic ideas as well as broader concepts, help their students apply information in new or different situations, and increased student motivation and enthusiasm. Crafting is also a good way for families to spend quality creative time together at home.

Many craft projects require numerous different craft supplies, such as beads, thread, glue, different kinds of paper, stickers, etc. Organizing and storing these supplies can be a challenge, as most people do not have separate “crafting rooms” with cubbyholes for different types of supplies. Further, people who travel and would like to take their crafts on the road with them may be discouraged from doing so by the logistics of transporting craft supplies and in work projects.

It would therefore be desirable to have a craft table with multiple storage places for storing numerous craft supplies. It would also be desirable for this craft table to be readily portable and storable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary objective of this invention to provide a tolding portable craft table with multiple storage options. The portable folding craft table with storage is provided with first and second folding table sections. Each section includes a storage compartment formed with a front wall, a rear wall, an inner end wall, an outer end wall, a bottom wall and a tabletop hinged to the rear wall that also serves as a cover for closing the storage compartment. The inner end wall of the first section is pivotally secured to the inner end wall of the second section so that when the table sections are folded, the bottom wall of the first storage compartment lies adjacent the bottom wall of the second storage compartment.

The bottom wall of the second storage compartment includes an elongated cavity with a mouth formed by an elongated slot in the front wall of the second storage compartment. A flat pullout work shelf is received within the cavity to provide an additional work surface. Means to facilitate pulling the work shelf out of the cavity is attached to a front end of the work shelf. Stop means are provided in the cavity and on the work surface to prevent the work shelf from being pulled completely out of the cavity when the table is in the erected open position.

First releasable locking means are provided on the tabletops and the front walls of the storage compartments to releasably secure the tabletops in a closed position over the storage compartments. Second releasable locking means are provided on the outer end wall of the first storage compartment and the outer end wall of the second storage compartment for securing the table sections together when the table is in a closed folded position. Third releasable locking means are provided on the front wall of the second storage compartment for releasably preventing the work shelf from exiting the cavity when the table is folded for storage or transport.

The table includes at least four table legs and means for removably attaching at least two table legs to the bottom of each storage compartment to support the table in an unfolded upright position for use. Elastic securing means are provided on the outer end wall of the first storage compartment and the outer end wall of the second storage compartment for removably securing the table legs to the storage compartments for convenient storage and transport with the table.

Each storage compartment is provided with a plurality of variously sized storage containers. Container securing means are provided on the bottom of each storage container and the top surface of the bottom wall of each storage compartment for releasably securing the containers within the compartments

The table additionally includes means for moving the folded table in the manner of rolling luggage for conveniently storing and transporting the portable foldable craft table with storage of the present invention.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a portable folding table with storage according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the portable folding table according to the present invention shown with the tabletops in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the portable folding table according to the present invention shown with the tabletops in a closed position and the work shelf in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portable folding table according to the present invention with the tabletops in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable folding table according to the present invention folded for storage or transport.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the portable folding table according to the present invention folded for storage or transport taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the portable folding table according to the present invention folded for storage or transport taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a portable folding craft table with storage 100. FIG. 1 shows that the table 100 is provided in the form of a first folding table section 101, a second folding table section 119 and at least four table legs 143 supporting the table 100 in an open erected unfolded position. Section hinging means 137 (see FIG. 3) is provided to pivotally secure table section 101 to second table section 119. The table 100 also includes a flat rectangular pullout work shelf 157 that is received in table section 119.

As better seen in FIG. 2, table section 101 includes a tabletop 109 pivotally attached by tabletop hinging means 112 to first storage compartment 102. Table section 119 includes a tabletop 127 pivotally attached by tabletop hinging means 130 to second storage compartment 120.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, storage compartment 102 is formed with a front sidewall 103, a rear sidewall 104, an outer end wall 105, an inner end wall 106, and a bottom wall 107. Tabletop hinging means 112 may be provided in the form of at least one thin flexible plastic web 113 connecting a rear edge 111 of tabletop 109 to the rear sidewall 104 of compartment 102. Tabletop 109 serves as a cover for closing storage compartment 102.

Storage compartment 120 is formed with a front sidewall 121, a rear sidewall 122, an inner end wall 123, an outer end wall 124, and a bottom wall 125. Tabletop hinging means 130 also may be provided in the form of at least one flexible plastic web 131 connecting a rear edge 129 of tabletop 127 to the rear sidewall 122 of compartment 120. Tabletop 127 serves as a cover for closing storage compartment 120.

The inner end wall 106 of storage compartment 102 is hinged to the inner end wall 123 of the second section by section hinging means 137 so that when the table sections 101 and 119 are folded, the bottom wall 107 of the first storage compartment 102 lies adjacent the bottom wall 125 the second storage compartment 120. Section hinging means 137 may be provided in the form of at least one flexible plastic web as seen in FIG. 3.

The tabletop hinging means 112 and 130 and the section hinging means 137 are flexible plastic webs in one embodiment of the invention; however, any thin flexible strip of material such as rubber or leather may be used. In addition, any form of plastic hinge that can integrally molded with the tabletops and storage compartments is suitable for the present invention. Further, standard metal hinges could also be employed.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, bottom wall 125 includes a cavity 156 formed therein with a narrow mouth 159 formed by an elongated slot 171 in the front wall 121 of storage compartment 120 for slidably receiving the pullout work shelf 157.

Preferably, table 100 is formed of any commercially available moldable plastic material that is rigid, strong and durable enough for maintaining the shape of the table, though the table could be made from other suitable materials. The table 100 could be dimensioned in any way that achieves the objections of this invention. For example, in one embodiment, the erected table 100 has an erected tabletop surface area of about 20″×50″ and is about 33″ in height, and table sections 101 and 119 have the dimensions of about 20″×25″×4″ in one embodiment.

Work shelf 157 may be formed of plastic or other suitable material and in one embodiment has the approximate size of about 19″×25″×½. A handle or knob means 162, illustrated in the form of a flexible plastic hand strap 163 that is attached to a front end of the work shelf 157, may be provided to facilitate pulling work shelf 157 out from within the cavity 156 for use.

In some embodiments of the invention, stop means 158 is provided at the mouth 159 of cavity 156 and stop means 161 is provided on one end of the work shelf 157 for preventing the work shelf 157 from being removed completely out of the cavity 156. Stop means 158 is provided in the form of the opposite corners of a narrow mouth 159 at the opening of cavity 156. Stop means 161 is provided in the form of integrally formed protrusions at the rear corners of work shelf 157 that engage a part of front wall 121 adjacent the ends of the narrow open mouth 159 to prevent removal of the work shelf 157. Stop means 161 may also be provided in the form a latch spring or other detent mechanism preventing removal of work shelf 157.

FIG. 4 shows that at least two releasable locking means 114 are provided in some embodiments of the invention to releasably secure the tabletop 109 in a closed position over the storage compartment 102. Similarly, at least two releasable locking means 132 are provided to releasably secure tabletop 127 in a closed position over storage compartment 120. At least one releasable locking means 139 is provided for securing the table sections together in a closed folded position as shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 4, at least one releasable locking means 164 is provided on the front wall 121 of storage compartment 120 for releasably preventing the work surface from exiting the cavity when the table is folded for storage or transport.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4-6, releasable locking means 114, 132, 139 and 164 may be provided in the form of flexible plastic straps 115, 133, 140 and 165 respectively. The plastic straps may be suitably replaced with rubber, leather, canvas and other straps that can be attached to a plastic table. Straps 115, 133, 140 and 165 are provided with a releasable fastener element 116, 134, 141 and 164, respectively.

Releasable fastener element 116 cooperates with a corresponding releasable fastener element 117 on front wall 103 of storage compartment 102 to secure tabletop 109 onto storage compartment 102. Releasable fastener element 134 cooperates with corresponding releasable fastener element 135 on the front wall 121 of storage compartment 120 to secure tabletop 127 onto storage compartment 120. Releasable fastener element 141 cooperates with corresponding releasable fastener element 142 on end wall 105 of storage compartment 102 to secure table sections 101 and 119 together in a folded position. Releasable fastener 164 cooperates with corresponding fastener element 166 on front wall 121 of compartment 120 to prevent the work shelf 157 from falling out cavity 156 during storage and transport.

The releasable fastener elements illustrated for securing the tabletops closed, for securing the table sections together and for preventing the work surface from exiting the cavity are in the form of a snap lock buckle arrangement as shown, however other releasable fastening means in the form of hook and loop type fasteners, snap buttons, belt buckle type fasteners, trunk latches and the like may also be used as suitable releasable fastener elements for the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the table 100 includes at least four (4) table legs 143. See FIG. 3, wherein it is shown that attaching means 144 are also provided for releasably attaching at least two table legs 143 to the bottom walls 107 and 125 of each of storage compartments 102 and 120, respectively, to support the table in an open and erected position for use. Attaching means 144 is provided in the form of at least two threaded apertures 145 on the bottom walls 107, 125 of storage compartment 102, 120, respectively, for receiving the threaded upper ends 146 of table legs 143. Although FIG. 1 illustrates four (4) table legs 143, FIG. 3 shows attachment points for installing eight (8) legs, illustrating that there may be more than four (4) legs used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Alternatively, the table legs 143 could be pivotally attached to the storage compartments 102 and 120 so that they fold down when not in use (in a manner similar to that of card table legs) and out when in use. Additional length can be provided to the table legs 143 by a telescoping leg member.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4-6, table leg securing means is provided in the form of at least two elastic loops or straps 118 secured to the first end wall 105 of storage compartment 102 and at least two elastic loops or straps 136 secured to the second end wall 123 of storage compartment 120 for holding the table legs 143 when the table is folded for storage or transport. Other table leg securing means would also be suitable.

As best seem in FIGS. 1 and 2, each storage compartment 102, 120 is provided with a plurality of variously sized storage containers 152 to adjustably compartmentalize storage compartments 102 and 120 for receiving variously sized articles of material, work utensils and the like. The bottom of each container may contain a releasable fastener element 155 for cooperating with releasable fastener elements 154 mounted on the upper surface of the bottom walls of storage compartments 102 and 120 as shown in FIG. 2. Fastener elements 154 and 155 are preferably hook and loop type fasteners, however, double sided tape or mechanical fastener elements may be used as means to releasably and interchangeably secure containers 152 within the storage compartments 102 and 120.

Returning again to FIGS. 6 and 7, for the sake of convenient handling and moving of the folded table 100, flexible hand straps 150, 151 are affixed to end walls 105 and 124 and wheels 148 and 149 are affixed to front walls 102 and 121, respectively, to facilitate movement of the table 100 when it is folded for storage and transport. Hand straps 150, 151 may be formed of any suitable material, such as flexible plastic, leather, rubber, canvas and the like.

The present invention, as set forth above, not only readily lends itself for use as a craft table for known pastime activities such as scrap booking, scrap booking shows, scrap booking/cropping parties, but also readily lends itself for use as a portable table for a myriad of occasions where a convenient transportable compactly storable portable table with storage would be of use.

This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiment described is to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner.

As described above and shown in the associated drawings and exhibits, the present invention comprises a portable folding craft table having storage compartments and an additional pullout work shelf. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A portable folding craft table with storage, comprising: first and second folding table sections each having a storage compartment, front and rear walls, end walls, and a bottom; a first table top hingedly connected to the rear wall of the first folding table section; a second table top hingedly connected to the rear wall of the second folding table section; and a hinge for hingedly connecting the first and second table sections together to permit folding of the first and the second table sections together such that the bottom sides of the first and second table sections are adjacent to one another.
 2. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 1, further comprising: securement means for releaseably securing the first table top onto the first folding table section's storage compartment; and securement means for releaseably securing the second table top onto the second folding table section's storage compartment;
 3. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 1, further comprising a cavity formed in the second storage compartment.
 4. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 3, further comprising a flat pull-out work surface received in the cavity and having stop means to prevent removal of the work surface from the cavity.
 5. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 4, wherein the flat pull-out work surface is rectangular.
 6. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 1, further comprising securement means for releasably securing the first and second table sections together when they are folded together.
 7. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 1, further comprising at least four table legs.
 8. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 7, further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching the at least four table legs to the first and second table sections so that the table stands open and erected.
 9. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 7, further comprising holding means for releasably holding the at least four table legs in a storage position for storage and transport with the table.
 10. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 1, further comprising a handle for pulling and stabilizing the table during transport.
 11. The portable folding craft table with storage of claim 1, further comprising wheels for rolling the table when folded for storage and transport.
 12. The portable folding craft table with storage according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of variously sized removable interchangeable storage containers received in the first and second storage compartments.
 13. The portable folding craft table with storage according to claim 12, further comprising releaseable fastener elements mounted on the upper surface of the bottom walls of the storage compartments.
 14. The portable folding craft table with storage according to claim 13, wherein the bottom surfaces of the variously sized removable interchangeable storage containers contain releaseable fastener elements for mating with the releaseable fastener elements mounted on the upper surface of the bottom walls of the storage compartments.
 15. The portable folding craft table with storage according to claim 14, wherein the releaseable fastener elements on the upper surface of the bottom walls of the storage compartments and on the bottom surfaces of the variously sized removable interchangeable storage containers comprise hook and loop type fasteners.
 16. A portable folding craft table with storage, comprising: first and second folding table sections each having a storage compartment, front and rear walls, end walls, and a bottom; a first table top hingedly connected to the rear wall of the first folding table section; securement means for releaseably securing the first table top onto the first folding table section's storage compartment; a second table top hingedly connected to the rear wall of the second folding table section; securement means means for releaseably securing the second table top onto the second folding table section's second storage compartment; a cavity formed in second storage compartment; a flat rectangular work surface received in the cavity and having means to prevent removal from the cavity; means for hingedly connecting the first and second table sections together to permit folding of the first and the second table sections together such that the bottom sides of the first and second table sections are adjacent to one another; securement means for releasably securing the first and second table sections together when they are folded together; at least four table legs; attachment means for releasably attaching the at least four table legs to the first and second table sections so that the table stands open and erected; holding means for releasably holding the at least four table legs in a storage position for storage and transport with the table; a handle for pulling and stabilizing the table during transport; and wheels for rolling the table when folded for storage and transport. 